Business, general

Sun loosening its control over Java language

Article Abstract:

Sun Microsystems today is expected to open its Java programming language source code for programmers. The move continues an industry trend toward making software development more available to programmers, although Java will require any new Java programs to meet its compatibility standards. Programmers will have the capability to download Java and obtain a free license that allows them to make various modifications. By contrast, Sun's had placed tight reins on the source-code access and made it available only to the 180 companies that had paid licensing fees. Java has become a favorite of corporate programmers, while many Internet programmers have preferred the open source code of technologies such as PERL and Linux. Sun also introduced a new Java 2 technology version that contains several Windows features. Microsoft is disputing Sun's claims that it must support Java 2 by May 1999.

Sun Microsystems has been able to stay successful and maintain its high stock prices by reinventing itself to meet the needs of the market. The company realized that its Unix based workstation would be out sold by PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating system and turned to their servers to as the company's core business. Sun's servers account for only a third of the company's overall hardware sells, but make up half of the company's profits. The servers can cost up to millions of dollars, opposed to the work stations which sell for only tens of thousands of dollars. With the success of its servers, Sun has become a mainstay in the corporate world of mainframe computers. The company has also revamped its sales force to promote long-term relationships between Sun and its customers.